Mercifully, the Pittsburgh Pirates' season (78-83) ended Sunday afternoon after a 10-4 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. Let's be honest for a second, what reason is there for you to waste your time with another recap about how the bullpen didn't hold up their end of the bargain? None? That's what I thought, too. So, let's take a look at what needs to change for next season. This season has been over for some time now, arguably when the offseason ended and both Jeff Locke and Jon ... Read More
Jaso’s cycle, Taillon’s pitching give Pirates win vs. Cubs
Just one day after being eliminated from playoff contention, the Pittsburgh Pirates had a historic performance from first baseman John Jaso in an 8-4 victory Wednesday night against the Chicago Cubs. Jaso hit for the first cycle in PNC Park's 15-year history after he trippled off Pedro Strop in the seventh inning. “It's an interesting thing,” Jaso said to reporters after the game. “When you have a season where you don't really make it to the playoffs but there are these little moments ... Read More
Pirates can’t secure four-game sweep of Reds
Pitcher Ivan Nova entered Sunday's game with a 5-0 record as a Pittsburgh Pirate, but after a 7-4 loss to the Cincinnati Reds, an ‘L’ was placed next to his name for the first time since July 29 with the New York Yankees. Not only did Nova lose, the Pirates missed out on a chance to earn a second consecutive four-game road series sweep. Just 10 days prior, Nova (12-7) fired a complete game one-run shutout, but, Sunday, the former New York Yankee made it through just three innings and tied ... Read More
Takeaways from Thursday’s 15-2 Pirates victory
The Pittsburgh Pirates had their way with the Philadelphia Phillies in a 15-2 routing Thursday night that secured a series split. Those 15 runs are a season-high and place the Pirates at 71-74 on the season with 17 regular-season games remaining. Here are my three takeaways from the game: 1. Offense finally shows up The Pirates offense has disappointed for most, if not all, of the second half of the 2016 season, but Thursday night felt as though a “help wanted” ad was finally ... Read More
Pirates relief spotty in 7-4 loss to Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Orlando Arcia entered Saturday night's game a .184 hitter but left PNC Park having recorded three hits that helped give the Brewers a 7-4 series clinching victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Arcia ended up a home run shy of the cycle. On the Pirates end, they got Brewers starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson to walk a season-high six batters and allow four hits while elevating his pitch count to 99 pitches over 5.1. Despite this, the Pirates scored one run off ... Read More
Pirates secure rare Miller Park sweep
After Francisco Cervelli caught the final strike in the ninth inning of Sunday afternoon's game, the Pittsburgh Pirates not only defeated National League Central rival Milwaukee Brewers 3-1, but clinched a road series sweep for the first time since 2004. While this is reason enough for the Pirates to be satisfied by their extended weekend, the sweep was well timed as now the Pirates are half a game behind the St. Louis Cardinals for a Wild Card Spot. Ivan Nova (10-6, 4.55 ERA) allowed a ... Read More
Pirates tie season best comeback in win
A simple look at the Miller Park scoreboard Saturday night after three innings couldn't have been encouraging for Pittsburgh Pirates fans. The Pirates trailed the Milwaukee Brewers by three runs. But the Pirates were able to come back, putting up crooked numbers in both the fourth and sixth innings to come away with a series-clinching 9-6 victory. Pittsburgh starting pitcher Jameson Taillon made his shortest career major league outing, three innings, after allowing five runs on seven ... Read More
Pirates lose Wednesday’s game to Astros, 5-4
The Pittsburgh Pirates pulled off an impressive win over the Houston Astros on Tuesday night after losing Monday night to them. However, Wednesday the team fell to the Astros with a 5-4 final score — with the Astros winning the series. Pitching first for the Pirates was Gerrit Cole, and for the Astros, Collin McHugh was on the mound. Houston got on the scoreboard first in the top of the second inning, when Evan Gattis hit a home-run to score himself and Carlos Correa. The Pirates finally ... Read More
Marlins top Pirates to sweep weekend series
For a second time this season, Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Ryan Vogelsong was down on the ground after not getting a bunt attempt down. This time the result was not as dramatic as Vogelsong fouled a ball on the bunt and was immediately checked on by head athletic trainer Todd Tomczyk and manager Clint Hurdle. "I asked him at the plate if he was good to put it down, and he said he would get it down," Hurdle said. "He's been gritty ever since he's shown up. He's a tough ... Read More
Nova’s performance, Kang’s catch secure Pirates win
Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Neftali Feliz was in a jam when he allowed the first two Cincinnati Reds to reach base with Billy Hamilton at the plate. Hamilton hit a ball on a short hop that Pirates third baseman Jung Ho Kang quickly fielded. He got the out at third base and threw to Josh Harrison to get the out at second base. Kang did not have any chance to react until the 88 mph hit bounced into his glove but he quickly formulated a game plan. "I was thinking of throwing the ball ... Read More